November 24, 2003

Philippines Farm & Fishery Sector Post 2.87% Growth in January-September 2003
 

The Philippines' farm and fishery sector posted a 2.87% growth in the first nine months of 2003 despite a generally unfavorable weather condition characterized by prolonged dry months in the first semester, strong typhoons at the start of the third quarter and erratic rainfall for the rest of the period.

"Uncooperative nature but improved volumes and higher revenues for the farmers highlighted the first three quarters," Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. said.

Lorenzo added that it was a tough planting and growing season to begin with amid all the weather setbacks, but still managed to push forward with a 5.79% expansion in current prices resulting from increments in both production and farm gate prices.

Citing Bureau of Agricultural Statistics data, he said farm expansion between January and September 2003 was slower than last year¡¯s 3.08% growth but in terms of current prices, gross value of production soared to P465.8 billion this year from its year-ago level of P440.3 billion.

The agriculture secretary said that farm gate prices also moved up by an average of 2.83%, an indication farmers income during the period have improved, particularly those engaged in the production of crops, poultry and fish products.

"The agricultural improvement this year was largely fueled by the crops subsector," said Lorenzo, "which soared 2.29%, mainly due to a 16.8% expansion of sugar, 9% increase in abaca, 5.54% rise in tobacco, 5.36% growth in mango, and 3.75% of pineapple."

Lorenzo said that the crops subsector was the driving factor because even palay (unmilled rice) recorded a 1.59% growth and corn a 0.85% rise in contrast to the 3.51 and 3.12% decline they recorded, respectively, a year ago.

On the other hand, the poultry and livestock sector also improved, although not as fast as they did last year. In terms of production value, livestock rose 3.17% mainly because the swine industry registered a 4.31% increase while poultry increased 3.67%.

Lorenzo said the fisheries sector registered 3.37% growth largely because municipal fishermen posted a 5.16% increase in production value while those engaged in commercial fishing and aquaculture similarly posted modest gains.